After hiring their coordinators, what will the Patriots do next?
As the head coach of the New England Patriots, Jerod Mayo has completed his first major assignment: he has brought on three new coordinators to handle special teams, offense, and defense.
However, Mayo and the Patriots still have a lot of work ahead of them, even with Alex Van Pelt, DeMarcus Covington, and Jeremy Springer in those respective spots. The next task is to cover as many of the remaining holes as possible on the coaching staff.
Let’s examine the existing coaching roster in each of the three stages to see what potential moves might be under consideration behind closed doors.
Offense The remaining personnel for 2023 are: Adrian Klemm (OL), Billy Yates (assistant OL), Will Lawing (TE), Troy Brown (WR), Vinnie Sunseri (RB), and Evan Rothstein (backup QBs).
With a coach implementing a scheme that differs from the one that New England has used for the previous 24 years, the offense seems to be about to undergo a total makeover. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the existing coaches won’t return, but it does seem doubtful that every assistant from the previous season will return.
Thus, the question of how to replace them arises. The team is reportedly targeting Andy Dickerson, a former offensive line coach in Seattle and Los Angeles. This is the only name that has surfaced thus far.
Furthermore, candidates seeking jobs on the Patriots’ new coaching staff should take into account Van Pelt’s former Cleveland assistants. Under New England’s freshly appointed offensive coordinator, Stump Mitchell trained running backs and T.C. McCartney coached tight ends. However, once the team opted to fire Van Pelt in January, the Cleveland Browns elected not to keep either coach.
Chad O’Shea is another name to keep an eye on. A veteran wide receivers coach for the Patriots, he originally left the team in 2019 to work as Brian Flores’ offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins before moving to Cleveland to work with head coach Kevin Stefanski. Under Van Pelt, O’Shea served as wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator for the last four years; he may be considered for a position in New England come 2024.
Furthermore, it’s important to include Ashton Grant and Jonathan Decoster, the offensive assistants with the Browns. Grant in particular appears to be a compelling prospect, having worked mostly with Cleveland’s quarterbacks during 2023.
Defense Steve Belichick (LBs), Mike Pellegrino (CBs), Brian Belichick (Ss), and Keith Jones (fellowship) are the remaining staff members for 2023.
The Patriots may require new coaches at all three levels, if not at every position, despite the fact that the turnover on that side of the ball does not seem to be as severe. DeMarcus Covington’s previous position as the D-line coach is where it all begins.
Though an offer is on the table, Steve Belichick’s return is uncertain, and Jerod Mayo’s move to become head coach raises additional questions about the linebacker position. Even if Belichick returns, it seems more likely that he will serve as an advisor or assistant head coach than as a position coach.
Mike Pellegrino seems like a reasonably safe pick to return in the secondary, but it’s unclear if Brian Belichick will stay in his role as safeties coach. As is evident, the organization may be in for a lot of churn.
Keith Jones or Joe Kim, who served as assistant defensive line coaches on the Patriots’ East-West Shrine Bowl staff the previous season, might fill the one vacancy that is known to need to be filled. Working with the D-lines at Arkansas, Arkansas State, and Missouri Southern State would make sense, especially for Jones.
Mike Pellegrino, the former defensive line coach at the Shrine Bowl, is another internal candidate to take into account. Although the 30-year-old has been the Patriots’ cornerbacks’ coach since 2019, he may wish to add more coaching experience to his background.
In any case, the Patriots should also think about hiring some outside coaches. For instance, Christian Parker interviewed in New England during the summer after serving as the defensive backs coach for the Denver Broncos for the previous three years. Tem Lukabu of the Carolina Panthers and Michael Hodgens of the New Orleans Saints both coach outside linebackers.
All three are intriguing candidates, but Hodgens and Lukabu stand out because of their ties to the Patriots coaching staff: in 2016, Hodgens and Covington served as co-defensive coordinators at Eastern Illinois, and in 2019, Lukabu and Alex Van Pelt were part of the coaching staff of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Mike Vrabel is another name to keep an eye on. The Patriots Hall of Famer and former head coach of the Tennessee Titans is still available, and he has coached defensive linemen and linebackers in the past.
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